Uncategorized —

Perfecting facial recognition

In spite of recent failures in facial recognition technology, identical twins may have cracked the puzzle. The brothers, Michael and Alex Bronstein, were given a challenge by their college professor: build a system capable of distinguishing between the men. They succeeded.

Employing mathematical algorithms similar to those used in Internet searches, the computer measures the distances between a number of sample points on the facial surface.

The distances are then reconfigured as straight lines in a three-dimensional space, creating a new and abstracted image, or signature, of a human face built on precise mathematical calculations.

Despite the apparent success of this technology, there are some drawbacks. Faces cannot be matched against existing two-dimensional images, and, as with any facial recognition system, physical changes to the face from plastic surgery or facial hair can distort the match. This new technology may make it easier to verify the identify of the average citizen, but those who wish to avoid identification won't have much to worry about.